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January 9, 2010

Selamat Bermain Salji

Five of this weekend's top-flight matches were called off yesterday due to the big freeze.

It's the highest number of Premier League postponements in a single weekend since the division was formed 18 years ago.

Many matches in the Football League have also been claimed by the cold weather, including every match scheduled to take place in League Two and 10 of the 12 due to be played in League One.

With icy conditions set to continue, there are fears more of the few matches left could bite the dust before kick-off.

Today's Prem clashes at Burnley, Fulham, Hull and Sunderland - along with tomorrow's battle between Liverpool and Tottenham - were called off early.

In all cases, the pitches were playable.

But local statutory bodies advised the Premier League it was not safe for the matches to go ahead.

League rules state league matches cannot be postponed or abandoned except with the approval of the referee or by order of the police or another authority exercising its statutory powers to that effect.

A Prem spokesman said: "It is unfortunate these matches have had to be called off.

"However, the advice from the statutory authorities in the light of continuing adverse weather conditions was to postpone.

"Clearly the safety of supporters in these circumstances is paramount and the League and clubs have acted quickly to ensure that as few unnecessary journeys are undertaken as possible.

"Fans are advised to monitor club websites to keep up to date with any further developments regarding the weekend's remaining Barclays Premier League fixtures.

"The Premier League will work with the clubs concerned to reschedule postponed fixtures as soon as practically possible."

Many fans, though, fear the ever-present shadow of 'health and safety' is already rearing its head when not always necessary.

Football Supporters Federation spokesman Martin Brunskill said: "There seems to be a trend of games being called off, even though the pitches, stadiums and surrounding areas are fine.

"It appears a lot of local authorities are putting pressure on clubs to call games off.

"Health and safety is a good thing but we don't want to be too over-cautious."